Ivars Kalvins

A broad range of medicines based on natural compounds, spearheading a new generation of drugs

Ivars Kalvins

A broad range of medicines based on natural compounds, spearheading a new generation of drugs

Kalvins’ research has resulted in new drugs to treat and prevent Alzheimer’s, tinnitus, chronic pain, inflammation, ischemic heart disease and strokes

Inventor dedicated to improving medicine through chemicals found in nature

Natural compounds sit at the core of Ivars Kalvins’ breakthrough medical inventions. They are all broadly based on the same principle: the potential for chemicals to trigger a desired response in the human body. The Latvian scientist has dedicated his research career to improving medicine through chemicals found in nature, and his work has spearheaded the development of a new generation of drug compounds. Kalvins’ research has resulted in new drugs to treat and prevent Alzheimer’s, tinnitus, chronic pain and inflammation. Particular advancement is seen in the treatment of ischemic heart disease and strokes, the two leading causes of death worldwide. While licensing many of his patents to international pharmaceutical giants, Kalvins’ biggest success story is the heart disease drug Mildronate, one of Latvia’s most successful medical exports. Kalvins first earned his chemistry degree at the University of Latvia, before he, intrigued by the potential of naturally occurring compounds, joined the Institute of Organic Synthesis in Riga. Today, Kalvins (67) has contributed to over 215 patents, as he has tirelessly worked to make numerous breakthroughs in immunochemistry.